New Zealand
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Country Profile
Photography (*)
Rising of the Moon - Fox Glacier |
Morning Fog - Paparoa National Park |
Mirror Waters - Lake Matheson |
City of Sails - Auckland |
On the Pier - Lake Mapourika |
Sunset Bird - Nelson |
Mount Ruapehu's Crater - Tongariro National Park |
Duck on Clear Waters - Lake Wanaka |
Mysterious Ice - Fox Glacier |
Power Pole - Tongariro National Park |
After the Storm - Haast Coastal Plain |
Low Tide - Abel Tasman National Park |
Queenstown |
Heron Taking off - Abel Tasman National Park |
Rainforest - Paparoa National Park |
Mount Ngauruhoe - Tongariro National Park |
Harbour Bridge - Auckland |
Weka Bird - Punakaiki |
Limestone Pancakes - Punakaiki |
Southern Vegetation - Lake Hawea |
Ice on the Mountain - Fox Glacier |
Mirror Lake - Lake Matheson |
Endless Field - Eglinton Valley |
Moss on the Rocks - Fox Glacier |
Mocca and Latte - Queenstown |
Aerial View - Lake Taupo |
Limestone Rocks - Punakaiki |
West Coast - Paparoa National Park |
Lamb - Taupo |
Clear Waters - Lake Wanaka |
Abel Tasman National Park |
Mount Tongariro - Tongariro National Park |
Mount Tasman and Mount Cook - Fox Glacier |
Calm Waters - Lake Wakatipu |
Lake Hawea |
Franz Josef Glacier |
History
New Zealand was colonized by Polynesians between the years 800 and 1300 AD. They established the indigenous Maori culture.
The first European explorer, the Dutchman Abel Tasman, discovered New Zealand's coasts in 1642. His stay was short because the hostile encounter he had with the Maori killed several members of his crew. He called the islands Nova Zeelandia in honour of the Dutch province of Zeeland.
In 1769, James Cook reached New Zealand and has mapped almost the entire coastline. There have been three major voyages made by Cook in the Pacific Ocean, visiting New Zealand each time.
The Protestant and Catholic missionaries began to settle in New Zealand in 1814, eventually converting most of the Maori population. Then, in 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed by the British settlers and Maori chiefs, which regarded New Zealand as a nation, giving the Maori people the right for British citizenship. This treaty seized the Maori of their best land, which led to a series of conflicts in the following years.
After the Great Depression of 1929, New Zealanders elected their first Labour government who's objective was to play an active role in promoting economic growth, to provide social protection for citizens, and to correct the injustices arising of the market economy.
Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the policy of the country has become more and more distant from the United Kingdom. In 1907, New Zealand became a British dominion, and had its full independence in 1947. However, New Zealand troops did fight with the British during World War I and World War II.
After the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Community, New Zealand's external affairs have become more fragile. A variety of economic activities was sought, looking for opportunities in Asia.
During the 1980's, New Zealand led the antinuclear movement in the South Pacific. With Helen Clark at the head of government, today the country diversifies its export markets by developing strong trade links with Australia, the United States, China and Japan.
Geography
New Zealand is a country of Oceania, located in the south-western Pacific Ocean. It is relatively isolated geographically, being separated from Australia by approximately
The country is made up of two large main islands, the North Island and the South Island, and by several smaller islands, including Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands, the Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Islands and Kermadec Islands. It has no land boundaries with other countries.
The extraordinarily diverse landscape of New Zealand has made it a popular tourist destination, and attracts several film productions, including The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
The South Island is the largest land mass of New Zealand. The spectacular scenery consists of plains, fjords, forests, mountains and the glaciers Fox and Franz Josef. The Southern Alps along the South Island have eighteen peaks higher than
The North Island is smaller but comprises 75% of New Zealand's population. It is less mountainous than the South Island but is known for its geothermal activity. The highest mountain on the island, Mount Ruapehu at
New Zealand has a climate ranging from subtropical in the north, and oceanic in the rest of the country. The warmest months are January and February, and the coldest month is July.
Because of its isolation from the outside world, New Zealand is home to a unique flora and fauna. About 80% of New Zealand's plant species grow only there. Before the arrival of human beings, the only mammal species that lived there were bats. Several kinds of birds, having no predators, have evolved into land birds unable to fly. The mice and dogs brought by the first Maori, and other mammals brought by the Europeans have become predators to chicks of certain birds, making some of them endangered species. The moa, a big bird that can reach up to
The main environmental problems are biological invasions, deforestation and soil erosion. But New Zealanders are among the most environmentally conscious people in the world and the country has signed several international agreements including the Kyoto Protocol.
Culture
78% of New Zealanders are of European decent. The indigenous Maori make up the largest minority with 14% of the population. Other ethnic minorities are mostly Asian and Polynesian.
The current "kiwi" culture has British roots, with a great Maori, Australian and American influence. New Zealand music and cuisine are similar to those of the United Kingdom and the United States with added regional qualities. The official language is English, but the Maori language is significantly recognized in the community.
Christianity is the predominant religion in New Zealand, practiced by 56% of the population, including Maori. The Christian churches are mostly Anglican and Catholic. 35% of the population say that it is "non-religious" and 5% is affiliated with other religions including Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam.
The film industry is attracted by the spectacular landscapes of New Zealand. Several major movies were filmed there, some of which are The Piano and The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Artists born in New Zealand include actor Russell Crowe, director Peter Jackson, and some members of the musical group Crowded House.
Sport is a major part of the culture of New Zealanders, particularly rugby and cricket. Several extreme sports were developed in New Zealand and are practised across the country, attracting many tourists each year. Queenstown, a small town in South Island, and an adventure tourism centre, is regarded as the world capital of extreme sports.
Interesting Facts
- The Maori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, which means "Land of the Long White Cloud". When the first Polynesians arrived, they saw a long white cloud that covered the coasts. This name is used today by the Maori people, and refers to the entire country.
- New Zealanders are overcome by the number of sheep. In fact there are 12 to 20 sheep per human in New Zealand.
- Wellington is the most southern capital city of a country in the world.
- The weta, an endemic insect specie of New Zealand, is the heaviest insect in the world. A giant weta may become as large as a mouse.
- In 1893, New Zealand was the first country in the world to grant the right for women to vote.
- Queenstown is often referred as the capital of extreme sports in the world.
- There are no snakes in New Zealand, but there is only one specie of venomous spider, the katipo, which is rare and confined to coastal regions.
- Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu is a hill in the region of Hawke's Bay in North Island. It appears in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest name of a place in the world.
See Also
Australia
Brazil
Canada
China
References
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (www.wikipedia.org).
BBC News - Country Profile: New Zealand (news.bbc.co.uk).
New Zealand facts on National Geographic (www3.nationalgeographic.com).
World Flag Database (www.flags.net).
I visited New Zealand twice: first time was in 1998 and then again in 2007.
This country remains my favourite traveling spot, not only because New Zealanders are warm and welcoming people, but also for the breathtaking landscapes that dramatically change as you move from region to region, and that make you feel like you are in a different world.
Many times, while driving through the roads of South Island, you would think that you are in the Garden of Eden.
Even if New Zealand is far away, I would recommend anyone to go and discover that wonderful country. Email me for more information (a new window will open).